School and Periods

Have you ever walked inside a Gothic cathedral at sunset, when the light filters through the stained glass windows and you feel catapulted into a world of flying saints, dragons and angels with rainbow feathers? Well, if Gothic were a playlist, it would be a mix of epicness, mysticism and… colour at full volume! In […]

Have you ever wondered what Expressionism is and what it really represents in the art world? This movement, which emerged in the early 20th century, mainly in Germany, was an important cultural response to the tumultuous social changes of the early 20th century. In this post we will explore its characteristics, works, artists and themes. […]

Have you ever heard of the Pre-Raphaelites? This fascinating 19th century British art movement is a real hidden gem in the art world. I am sure their story will fascinate you, just as it fascinated me. In this post we will dive into the world of the Pre-Raphaelite artists, discovering their philosophy, the influence they […]

Gothic cathedrals are the most fascinating architectural wonders that history has left us. These magnificent structures dating back to the second half of the 12th century shaped the history of art and architecture, expressing the taste, values and religiosity of the society of their time. With their unique style and innovative technical solutions, Gothic cathedrals […]

I have been wanting to write a post on the Gothic style for a long time, and I have finally found the time to take you on a fascinating journey through the characteristics and most significant works of this art form that aroused wonder and admiration in the period between the 12th and 14th centuries. […]

TITIAN’S WOMEN: THE FEMALE PORTRAIT IN SIXTEENTH-CENTURY VENICE Titian’s women appear sensual and elegant. In his numerous portraits, they seem to belong to the more affluent strata of society and appear strong and confident. Was this really the case? In 16th-century Venice, the image of women took on a role that had never been seen […]

MONET AND THE IMPRESSIONISTS IN NORMANDY In Normandy, Monet and the Impressionists experimented with techniques to depict the landscape as it is. Inspired by a magical place, they found the inspiration that would change the course of art history forever, acquiring the ability to depict clear skies and threatening clouds, sparkling water and verdant valleys […]

WOMEN IN MACCHIAIOLI’S WORKS: THE MASTERPIECES TO KNOW AND WOMEN’S ROLE The success of Macchiaioli’s works depends certainly on beauty of their paintings, but the role played by women was decisive, too. Woman enters Macchiaioli’s paintings in a brand new way, and the success depends also on the strength of some special women. Macchiaioli’s works and […]

ART IN THE 17TH CENTURY BETWEEN BAROQUE AND CLASSICISM Understanding the art in the 17th century means discovering two great artistic movements: Baroque and Classicism. Two different ways to communicate and make art that I’ll explain in this post. Art in the 17th century

ART IN THE 16TH CENTURY: RENAISSANCE AND MANNERISM Understanding art in the 16th century means dealing with great artists of Western art, those personalities who have influenced following artists and who, still today, are a model or a reference point. Have you understood who I’m talking about? After the post dedicated to Art in the 15th […]

15TH CENTURY ART: EARLY RENAISSANCE  Studying the evolution of the 15th century art is amazing. Then, if you think that it’s at the end of the 15th century, precisely in 1492, that the most significant event of this wonderful century occurred, that is the Discovery of America, then you’ll understand that creativity and ingenuity are the […]

STILL LIFE: CARAVAGGIO AND THE BASKET OF FRUIT Still life Caravaggio. Caravaggio’s Basket of Fruit is considered to be the first Italian still-life painting, a pictorial genre which already existed and had a long tradition behind, and whose undisputed masters were the Flemish painters. In Italy the use of still life was only a decorative […]

THE 16TH CENTURY: THE GREATEST MASTERS I often write about artists and artistic movements, taking for granted that everyone can associate with right historic period. But a reader left a comment on my Facebook profile which made me think. She lives in the USA e and is keen on fashion, but she shows little about […]

THE MACCHIAIOLI Macchiaioli. Not a year goes by without an exhibition dedicated to the Macchiaioli or to an artist who was attached somehow to the most important artistic movement in Italy in the 19th century. I think it’s time for me to give a definition of “Macchiaioli”, and I will be waiting for your comments […]